Duni Chand and the needle of heaven

We are learning to

• Explore a story in depth and respond to it thoughtfully

• Retell a story with drama in a group

• Develop our own ideas about values from a Sikh story

Success Criteria

Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, we will be able to:• Talk about what sort of person Duni Chand was

in the story• Retell the story in drama• Respond to the idea of being generous with lots

of ideas of my own about how to be generous• Make links between the story and what Sikhs

might do today as they follow their Guru

Important VocabularyWord MeaningGuru TeacherWealth Riches (money, jewellery,

possessions)Generosity The habit of giving freely

without expecting anything in return

Reincarnation Life after death

The story of Duni Chand

Gold cannot be taken to heaven

Guru Nanak was a travelling teacher. He visited Lahore, where there lived a banker called Duni Chand, well-known for being greedy. His beautiful palace shone with gold, marble and precious jewels.

Duni Chand leant that Guru Nanak was visiting. He rushed to invite the Guru to a special feast: it would make him look very

important to have a famous guest.

Guru Nanak accepted the invitation. It was a wonderful occasion.

When everyone had finished, Duni Chand turned to Guru Nanak and said, “I am a wealthy man, I can help you. What do you want me to do?”

Guru Nanak sat and thought. Fumbling in his pocket, he drew out a tiny sewing needle.

“Something you can do for me,” he replied, holding up the needle. “I want you to keep this needle very safe and give it back to me when we meet in the next world.”

Duni Chand felt very important. The Guru had given him a very special task.

He took the needle and showed it to his wife, explaining what the Guru had told him.

To his surprise, she burst into laughter. “How are you going to do that?” she asked.

He thought and thought, then ran back to the Guru asking, “How can I take this needle with me when I die?”

“If you cannot take a tiny needle with you when you die, how are you going to take all your riches?”

For the first time in his life, Duni Chand felt ashamed. He realised he had been greedy. He and his wife decided to use their wealth to help the poor.

We are learning to

• Explore a story in depth and respond to it thoughtfully

• Retell a story with drama in a group

• Develop our own ideas about values from a Sikh story

Group Task

In groups of 4-6, you will develop a drama based on the

story of Duni Chand.

Group Task

The drama could be one scene of the story.

Group Task

It could be after the story, where Duni Chand and his wife

put the plan into action and show generosity.

Group Task

Perform the dramas to the class.

We are learning to

• Explore a story in depth and respond to it thoughtfully

• Retell a story with drama in a group

• Develop our own ideas about values from a Sikh story

Plenary

What could rich Duni Chand do with his wealth instead?

Share

Give to charity

The Next Life

Sikhs believe that when the body dies, there is another life. This is called reincarnation.Sikhs usually cremate (burn) the body, so possessions cannot be taken to the next life. Thinking about this is what made Duni Chand change his life.

Homework

• Draw a generosity tree.• Each leaf should

have a word relating to generosity.